Pengli Wang

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and their ligands play important roles in the communication between brain and peripheral tissues, also called “brain-body axis”. Here, I propose the development of GPCR ligand bioluminescence indicator (GLiBI), allowing non-invasive visualization of neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, and hormone release along the brain-body axis in real time. Specifically, I, with collaborators in Lin lab and Tawfik lab, aim to assess the regulation of autonomic nervous system in natural behaviors and pain responses by exercise and drugs. My project is anticipated to establish a revolutionary and generalizable approach for the non-invasive GPCR ligand imaging to study how cells talk to each other across the body, with broad applications in neuroscience, medicine, and beyond.